Tensions are mounting outside the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) campus in Vanderbijlpark as students have reportedly clashed with public order police on Monday morning.
VUT protests: What are the students demanding?
Details around the incident are still unclear and our attempts to get in touch with the tertiary institution were unsuccessful.
However, according to reports on the ground, a large group of protesters descended on the campus to make their voices heard about earlier promises that have not yet been met.
VUT’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) office has been under fire for the better part of two years for its failure to deliver approved allowances.
If we are to believe allegations made by frustrated VUT students on social media, then the tertiary has allegedly yet to address these issues.
Vaal university of technology dont want to give students money , when they fight for their rights the police get involved #vutmustfall pic.twitter.com/7aaTxsKt76
— MX Baloyi (@BaloyiMx) December 7, 2020
Students clash with police outside Vaal campus
In videos that have surfaced on Twitter, police trucks were seen piling outside the campus’ main entrance to disperse crowds.
In other encounters, riot officers were heard shooting rubbing bullets at the protesters, in a bid to contain the violence that has made it impossible to gain entry into the premises.
This why we fighting and we won't stop until VUT gives what is ours!! #vutmustfall pic.twitter.com/nzOlrU2Hkj
— Zeela (@Zeela_RSA) December 7, 2020
Current situation at VUT… Police and Securities are kicking us ngemabhudze#University#umjolo#VUTmustfall pic.twitter.com/iDAGHI7Dcl
— Dead_Man_Walking (@thapelovincen18) December 7, 2020
#VUTMUSTFALL#Paradise2#umjolo pic.twitter.com/M1xwqYz8rN
— Dead_Man_Walking (@thapelovincen18) December 7, 2020
#VUTmustfall #VUTmustfall with their Private security Company #Phiriphiri
— Munhu Nje (@Pheonah04) December 7, 2020
Also the #SAPS Students don't have To go through all this struggle to Get What's Rightfully theirs from the management we want our money @VUT_Online stop twerking with students allowances #VUTmustfall https://t.co/QAjRiDSSIl
At the time of publishing this article, no statements had been released by the institution and authorities.
It is also still unclear which organisation is leading these protests.